Fenofibric Acid Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 9, 2025.

Applies to fenofibric acid: oral capsule delayed release, oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride (fats) levels and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Call your doctor right away if you have a headache, stomach pain, vomiting, dark urine, loss of appetite, weight loss, general feeling of tiredness or weakness, light-colored stools, upper right stomach pain, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of liver problems.

Check with your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have unusual tiredness or a fever. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called myopathy.

Check with your doctor right away if you have dark-colored urine, diarrhea, a fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or feel very tired or weak. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney problems.

This medicine may increase your risk of gallstones. Call your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting.

Pancreatitis may occur while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have bloating, sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, darkened urine, fast heartbeat, fever, indigestion. loss of appetite, nausea, pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back, pale stools, vomiting.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after using this medicine.

Serious skin reactions, including Steven-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, rash, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may lower the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.

Do not Stop taking fenofibric acid without first checking with your doctor. When you Stop taking fenofibric acid, your blood fat levels may increase again. Your doctor may want you to follow a special diet to help prevent that.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of fenofibric acid

Along with its needed effects, fenofibric acid may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking fenofibric acid:

Other side effects of fenofibric acid

Some side effects of fenofibric acid may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to fenofibric acid: oral delayed release capsule, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported side effects were abnormal liver function tests, AST increased, ALT increased, creatine phosphokinase increased, and rhinitis.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, arthralgia, myalgia, pain in extremity
• Postmarketing reports: Rhabdomyolysis, muscle spasm^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia
• Postmarketing reports: Pancreatitis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Liver function tests abnormal, ALT increased, AST increased
• Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis, cirrhosis, increased total bilirubin, drug-induced liver injury^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Respiratory disorder, rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection
• Postmarketing reports: Interstitial lung disease^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Creatine phosphokinase increased, pain
• Postmarketing reports: Asthenia^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Postmarketing reports: Anemia, hemoglobin decreased, hematocrit decreased, WBC decreased^[Ref]

Renal

• Postmarketing reports: Acute renal failure, renal failure^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Postmarketing reports: High density lipoprotein cholesterol levels severely depressed^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Urticaria, rash
• Postmarketing reports: Photosensitivity reactions, severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCAR), including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, and Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)

Photosensitivity reactions have been reported days to months after initiation; in some cases, patients had reported a prior photosensitivity reaction to ketoprofen.

See also:

Further information

Fenofibric acid side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer